Publisher's Summary

Is the Greek alphabet all Greek to you? Is geometry your Achilles heel and does your knowledge of Homer have more to do with The Simpsons than the Sirens?

From engineering and architecture to drama and democracy, the world around us is founded on the principles and discoveries of the Ancient World, yet our understanding of it is episodic at best.

So if you've ever struggled with Socrates, wished you could formulate a logical argument or wondered whether the Romans really dined at vomitoria, then carpe diem and listen to this audiobook it's never too late to learn.

If you read a lot you probably don't need this book. If you don't read a lot you really don't need this book.

That said, it's a nice fluffy overview of some key figures of classical times. The author may be a touch condescending initially, but her love of the material shines through and her writing is witty and light. (Indeed, I don't know where else you'd get such an overview that wouldn't just put you to sleep).

My major problem with this version is that, though the narrator is quite skilled, he seems to be dropping his voice volume at times and it sometimes makes it hard to hear if you're listening in a car. (Haven't had this problem with other Audible books and I suspect it's the narrator, not the recording). If the volume were better, I'd rate this at least a 4 star performance.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

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catherine

bolton, United Kingdom

1/12/10

Overall

"Light but not insubstantial"

An appreciation of the 'Classics' always seemed to be just out of reach. This book provides an instructive and accessible opportunity to dip a toe into this wonderful world.
I do not doubt that more learned scholars may scoff at the delivery but I found it very entertaining. There are so many fantastic stories, surprisingly relevant events and moments of recognition - dare I say enlightenment?
A gem for all ages and sensibilities.

21 of 21 people found this review helpful

Amazon Customer

28/08/10

Overall

"Content is great but not as audio"

There are some very interesting bits and pieces in this but it is definitely a book that is better as a book. I am not sure if this lends its self to the audio book format due to the complexity of some of the content.

20 of 20 people found this review helpful

David

Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom

6/07/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"An amusing run through"

A little odd having the obvious female voice of the author read by a man, especially as some of the jokes about the place of women are written in a very personal style, but once you learn to treat Bill Wallis as a woman it's very worthwhile! Worth a listen as a fairly short title. Very enjoyable.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Hanna

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

7/05/12

Overall

"I should just have read the book"

Couldn't go further than 20 minutes. The book seems to be nice, but the narrator sometimes drops his volume and breaths loudly. And also he doesn't use a neutral inflection, it appears to be his everyday voice...
I think that most people would like to forget that someone is narrating, but I just cannot do this.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

JB

4/12/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Enlightening, well worth the money"

Very easy to listen to and full of fascinating facts and stories. I found the narration particularly good and very captivating I wish that Bill Wallis would narrate more books!!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Mark

Enfield, United Kingdom

12/07/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"short sweet and fun"

Any additional comments?

great fun, full of witty trivia and useful tidbits. I found it entertaining and it made me seem wiser than I thought

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Desmond Ahura

6/07/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"GOOD KNOWLEDGE "

It was nice to finally know the origin of many words we use in our every day conversation.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Grant Wilson

22/05/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Very enjoyable."

What made the experience of listening to A Classical Education the most enjoyable?

The reader, Bill Wallace, is great, I could listen to him all day.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Classical Education?

All of it.

What about Bill Wallis’s performance did you like?

He has the ability to inject humour with only a subtle inflection here and there.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Prepare to learn!

Any additional comments?

Very educational and easy to listen to, highly recommended.Only problem was that it was too short, I could have enjoyed it twice or three times as long.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

R. C. Allison

UK

1/05/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"A Brief Greek Classical Education"

Where does A Classical Education rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

An excellent audio book which has allowed a reawakening of the little Greek mythology, philosophy and mathematical history once learnt a long time ago. This light hearted, respectable and informative read has rekindled an interest to read more of the Greek world and the philosophy which is as fresh now as it must have been 2000 years ago, pre a trip to Athens later in the year, an essential digest of Greek psyche.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Classical Education?

From the first paragraph, start to finish the hook was set, entertainingly well read by Bill Wallis..

Have you listened to any of Bill Wallis’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I am not sure if I have listened to Bill Wallis before, however he has one of those very familiar voices, with intonations one seems to be acquainted with...

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A funny thing happened on the way to the Parthenon or Olympus has risen or The crucible of knowledge, The golden drachma, Of mortals and Gods, etc etc..as the ancients would say.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Richard

Banbury, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

22/02/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"So well read !"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The content is fascinating, but it's the outstanding narration that captures the imagination.

What about Bill Wallis’s performance did you like?

Very camp, but very theatrical

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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